Waverley’s community has a strong interest in gardening in public spaces, recognising the many social, environmental and aesthetic benefits for our people and environment. This has never been more evident than over the past year when people have spent more time at home and increasingly want to connect socially and environmentally.

We want to make this easier for the community and have updated our Public Gardening Policy and Street Garden Guidelines. We would love to hear your feedback on the changes.

What is included in the Policy? 

The Public Gardening Policy replaces Council’s 2013 Public Place Gardening policy and aims to:

  • enable the community to continue to engage in public domain planting activities in the Waverley area
  • ensure the public domain is safe and accessible for all
  • balance the competing interests and activities taking place in the public domain (pedestrian movements, landscaping, recreation and vehicle access and parking)
  • facilitate public gardening activities in accordance with key strategies and plans.

Implementation of this broader policy framework will be supported by a range of specific and more detailed strategies, plans, guidelines and checklists to ensure the diversity of public place gardens conforms to agreed objectives and outcomes.

Verge Garden Guidelines: 

One of these more specific guidelines is the Verge Garden Guidelines which will replace the Street Garden Guidelines from 2013. It has been simplified to streamline the application and approval processes, with the inclusion of a single page Verge Garden Checklist for residents to complete. If applicants comply with all requirements in the checklist, their verge garden will be approved quickly and they can begin planting. Also on public exhibition is the draft Expression of interest form for gardening in public spaces.

Have your say

Consultation on these documents run until 8 September 2021 and you can provide feedback in the following ways:

What happens next?

Once this exhibition period ends, we will review the feedback and finalise the policy and guidelines informed by your feedback. They will then go back to Council for consideration. The new policy and guidelines will then provide a framework for our process.

Need assistance?

We are committed to making sure you can access the information you need in a format that is right for you. If you would like information in another language or format, please contact us on 9083 8999.

Other helpful contacts include:

  • 131 450 to speak with the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)
  • 133 677 TTY/voice calls
  • 1300 555 727 Speak & Listen
  • 0423 677 767 SMS relay

Updates

How did you find out about this consultation? Required
To what extent do you agree with the following?  Required
Definitely agree
Somewhat agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Somewhat disagree
Definitely disagree
The Policy and Guidelines are easy to understand
The Policy and Guidelines will make it easy for me to apply for a garden in a public space
The Policy and Guidelines will make the process simple
The Policy and Guidelines will help me identify the right plants to use
I feel confident knowing how to garden in public spaces
How satisfied were you with the process? Required
Do you have access to a public space to garden?  Required
Have you sought approval for public gardening in the past? Required
Are you involved with a shared community garden currently? Required

The Public Gardening Policy and Verge Gardening Guidelines

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.